Yayoi Kasama and John Grade

Two years ago, our son bought us tickets to the Seattle Art Museum's blockbuster Yayoi Kusama show.  I admit it took some convincing for me to agree to make the long drive north.  But I was newly retired and no longer had time restraints.  I knew nothing of Kusama going into the show. While her early work was monochromatic, her later work is an explosion of color. Museum shows tend to inspire whispers and reverence but Kusama's show was abuzz with chatter, sharing and smiles.  Photographs were encouraged and you could go in and out of the mirrored rooms as many times as you were willing to wait in line.  
Seattle is filled with great art, good food and wonderful vistas. But my favorite unexpected treat was seeing John Grade's Middle Fork sculpture suspended the full length of the Seattle Art Museum's multi-storied lobby.  It is stunning. Many volunteer hours were spent creating it. Best of all, it is still there, though his intention is to eventually return it to the forest to degrade naturally into the forest floor.  If you are in Seattle it is a must see, and can be seen for free by just visiting SAM's lobby.  Here is a link to learn more:http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/exhibitions/middlefork